What is leg vein reduction?

Leg veins are an unsightly problem for men and women of varying age groups and skin types. They can either be small (spider veins) or larger (reticular). There are many factors that contribute to the development of veins including pregnancy, weight gain, prolonged standing, and hereditary factors.

Spider veins form when excess blood backs up in the blood stream. The body releases this pressure by developing new veins which are more visibly pronounced than ‘normal’ veins.

How can it be treated?

Leg veins have traditionally been treated by sclerotherapy or surgery. However, these methods can have serious side effects such as scarring, hyperpigmentation and skin necrosis (the breaking down of the skin). Nowadays, leg veins are being treated with high specification Vasculight and NLite-V technology, which do not have these same associated risks.

Our Vasculight system is ideal for treating leg veins because it can provide both Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Nd:YAG lasers. This mixture of lasers means that deep blue veins, smaller surface thread veins, and spider veins can all be treated effectively. To achieve the best result, most patients need a treatment that combines both IPL and Nd:YAG.

In both types of laser application, light energy is absorbed by the blood and converted to heat energy. The heat causes the blood to coagulate, which results in the vessel wall collapsing. Once collapsed, the vein is broken down and absorbed by the body, resulting in the thread vein no longer being visible.

How many treatments will I need?

The number of treatments you require will depend on the severity of your leg veins. However, as we employ the IPL, Nd:YAG and Nite-V lasers, we can achieve substantial results relatively quickly. Your treatment plan will be thoroughly discussed with the nurse practitioner at consultation.

Will it hurt?

You may notice a tingling sensation during treatment. Because there are no noticeable side effects, you should be able to return to work or your daily routine immediately after treatment.

When will I see results?

You should be able to see noticeable results immediately after your first laser treatment. Results will continue to improve with multiple treatments.